Commuters on the Western Railway (WR) in Mumbai are bracing themselves for further inconvenience as the railway prepares to cancel 316 train services every day from Monday to Friday. This cancellation amounts to almost 23 percent of the total daily services offered by WR. The disruptions are a result of essential nighttime maintenance work aimed at upgrading the signaling system through electronic interlocking to enhance train operations.
The cancellations began last week, with 256 train services canceled on Friday alone, leading to overcrowded stations during the morning peak hours, notably at Virar, Borivali, and Andheri.
To address the crowding issue, railway police have been deployed at crucial stations to monitor crowd control. However, this move has raised concerns among commuters, many of whom are seeking alternative transportation solutions.
The ongoing maintenance work, which is expected to continue until 10.30 or 11 am each day, is pivotal for the railway system’s efficiency. It involves a significant signaling upgrade, including the installation of electronic interlocking. This upgrade will allow for faster signal monitoring and rectification through software, ultimately benefiting the entire railway system.
One WR official explained, “We will enter the phase where critical works will be taken up for completion at Andheri and Jogeshwari. The signaling system is being upgraded with electronic interlocking, which will enable us to monitor signals and rectify them faster through software.”
Safety measures have been emphasized in the wake of the Balasore rail accident, with strict instructions to avoid any risks during technical works. In Santacruz, diamond-shaped rail crossings with multiple crossovers will be removed to improve train movement to and from Bandra Terminus.
Over the weekend, WR completed several crucial tasks, including track realignment, installation of new sleepers and ballast, and other engineering works at Goregaon and Ram Mandir stations. A WR official highlighted the precision required in such tasks, stating, “This involves connecting cables with thousands of wirings within, and it needs precision work.”
Despite WR’s efforts to mitigate commuter inconvenience, passengers have raised questions about the state government and other transport agencies’ responses. Some commuters have criticized the lukewarm attitude toward providing additional alternative transport services. For instance, the BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) ran only three additional trips in the western suburbs from Dahisar to Bandra, leaving many commuters without suitable alternatives.
Officials from the Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited, operating Metro 7 and Metro 2A, have indicated they will monitor ridership numbers and provide additional services if necessary to accommodate the increased demand.
As the mega block continues, commuters are left hoping for improved transportation options to ease the disruption caused by essential railway maintenance.
Sources BY Agencies
